Nurse: Scalpel, Please

Yesterday I spent about ten hours working on my computer. Not working in the sense of "doing work via the computer," but working as in trying to fix it. It was one of those days where every single thing I tried to accomplish was closely followed by a series of other, more complicated problems.

It all started with trying to help my sister upload some software files I had on my machine. I figured the easiest way was to remotely connect to her machine, then download these large files from my machine via FTP. Only one problem: I don't have an FTP server set up. Here's the condensed version of what happened then:

--Call friend Mark to get advice on FTP
--Download Serv-U FTP Server software, read about FTP
--Configure FTP Server, to no success
--Re-configure FTP Server, to no success (repeat 1,327 times)

Finally, after about two hours of research, I determined that the FTP server wasn't working due to a firmware bug in my D-Link DI-624 wireless router. For whatever reason, this router prohibits file sharing in both the WAN/LAN environment. No fix. Here's the condensed version of what happened then:

--Research new wireless routers
--Determine new IEEE 802.11n protocol can stream HD video
--Get excited about buying a new router
--Go to MicroCenter and buy a new wireless router

Half-way through the set up of my new D-Link DIR-625, the CD-ROM I use starts acting funny. After a series of checks and reboots, it starts to fail and causes my machine to crash and reboot. After several hundred attempts to restart, I decide something's really wrong. Here's the condensed version of what happened then:

--Run various BIOS diagnostics, no improvements
--Detach and reattach IDE cables, no improvements
--Remove and reset DDR RAM sticks, no improvement
--Remove and reset processor and fan, no improvement
--Decide problem may be a bad power supply
--Go back to Microcenter for a new power supply
--Get helped by very cute and knowledgeable sales person
--Flirtatiously buy a new 250G hard drive and LightScribe DVD/CD-ROM burner
--Return home to replace/add said peripherals
--Hold breath, cross fingers, hum Tibetan chant

It worked!! I actually fixed something without breaking five other things! Now, if I could only remember why I started doing all this in the first place... Oh yeah. Downloading porn, of course. Now, back to work!